Feeler mechanism for looms



F. LACEY.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION FILED AUG-1911919.

SHEETS-SHEET I- Trix/engor- Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED LACEY, 0F LOVJELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORATION,OF

HOPEDALE, MASSAOHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION GE MAINE.

FEELER- MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Application filed August 19, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Fnnn LAOEY, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Lowell, in the county of Middlesex andState of lilassachusetts, have invented an improvement in Feelerhilechanism for Looms, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drznvings, is specification, like characters onthe drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms which, onsubstantial exhaustion of the weft or filling in the shuttle, change theoperative condition of the loom, such, for instance, as replenishingfilling or weft in the shuttle. Various types of feeler mechanisms havebeen suggested, all of which have the general purpose of replenishingfilling when that in the active shuttle becomes substantially exhausted.Among these suggested constructions of feeler mechani ms, one typeeffects movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of theshuttle when the filling has become substantially exhausted, and springmeans is employed for effecting such movement. In this type of feelermechanism the spring has been maintained under tension, and some meanshas been heretofore provided to prevent the tension of the spring beingexerted upon the feeler until the frontward movement of the lay on adetecting beat. The means for restraining the tension of the spring fromexerting itself upon the feeler has in some cases introduced anobjectionable frictional contact between the restraining members, andhas detracted from the sensitiveness of the feeler mechanism'. On theother hand, the feeler mechanism must be sensitive both to the presenceor absence of substantial exhaustion of filling.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consistsof afeeler mechanism wherein the feeler is given its side swipe movement ormovement longitudinally of the shuttle by normally inert means, such asa spring which, after the feeler has engaged the surface within theshuttle, is energized. The effect is that the scnsitiveness of thefeeler mechanism is enhanced, and no tendency to move the feelerlongitudinally of the shuttle takes place until after the feeling end ofthe feeler has had time to engage and embed itself in the Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Serial No. 318,467.

filling or weft contained in the shuttle, and all frictional restrainingmeans is eliminated. b

On a detecting beat and at the critical period of detection of thecondition of the filling by the feeler, the weft hammer or cam followeras it is sometimes called, moves frontwardly from its rear position intimed relation'with other parts to effect replenish ment when theshuttle has passed to the opposits side of the loom. The presentinvention utilizes this frontward movement of the weft hammer or camfollower to effect the longitudinal movement of the feeler when thefilling is substantially exhausted. Another important feature of thepresent invention, therefore, consists of means actuated from the wefthammer or cam follower tending to move the feeler in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle on each detecting beat, and to effect suchmovement when the filling has become substantially exhausted.

Other features and novel combination of parts in addition to the abovewill hereinafter be described, and then the invention in its true scopewill be defined by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the detecting side of a loom havingthe present invention associated therewith, and showing sufficient ofthe parts to make clear the construction and mode of operation thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the action of the feeler and its actuatingmeans when, on a detecting beat'the shuttle contains a working supply offilling; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the position assumedby the parts when, on a detecting beat the filling is substantiallyexhausted.

The loom frame for supporting the operating parts may be of any desiredor preferred construction. Secured to the loom frame are the brackets 1,usually one at each side of the loom frame, in which is mounted thetransverse or rock shaft 2 which is normally under the influence of aspring, not shown, tending to move the rock shaft contraclockwiseviewing Fig. 1. Secured to and rising from the rock shaft 2 is an arm 3having pivotally connected at its upper portion at d the lug ,5 to whichis pivotally connected at 6 the actuator 7, the construction being suchthat the actuator 7 may be moved horizontally about its pivotal mounting6 to place its rear end in or out of operative relation with theoperating member 8. .The operating member 8, as usual in this type ofmachine, may be either the weft hammer or cam follower or a partconnected thereto, but in the description and eX- ploitation of theinvention hereinafter, it will be designated for purpose ofidentification, as the weft hammer or cam follower.

The actuator 7 may be provided with a proper support 9 on which may resta flange 10 permitting the actuator 7 to be moved laterally or in ahorizontal direction.

The loom frame has projecting therefrom the shipper stand 11 providedwith an extension or bracket 12 on which may be ad justably secured abracket 13 by means of a securing bolt 14 or other preferred means.Pivotally connected to the arm 15 of the bracket 13 is the carrier 16which as shown is pivotally connected to the bracket by a pin 17 nearthe front end portion of the carrier 16, the construction being suchthat the carrier 16 may be moved laterally or in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle. The carrier 16 may be variouslycontrived, but the described form presents a convenient and goodpractical form of this feature.

Rising from the carrier 16 are the guides 18, 19 in which is mounted thefeeler 20 having the roughened or toothed weft or filling engaging end21. The feeler 20, frontward of the rear bearing 18 is preferably formedas a rod 22, thefront end of which projects through the front bearing 19and is capable of reciprocating movement therein. Secured to the feeler20 frontward of the rear bearing 18 is a collar 23 against which bearsone end of a spring 24, the front end portion of the spring being seatedagainst the rear face of the front bearing 19, the construction beingsuch that the feeler 20 is normally held yieldingly in its rearwardfeeling position, but is capable of frontward movement when its engagingend 21 meets a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat. Thefeeler member and its associated parts as thus far described, may bevariously contrived, the essential in these respects being that thefeeler 20 may be capable of movement in a direction longitudinally ofthe shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, as will morefully appear.

The lay 25 is of usual construction and provided with the usual shuttlebox 26, the front wall 27 of which has an opening 28 adapted to registerwith a corresponding opening 29 in the side of the shuttle 30, when theshuttle is in the detecting box at the detecting side of the loom. Theconstruction of the shuttle box with the slotted wall and the shuttlehaving the slot 29 may be of usual construction as found in feelerlooms, so that the feeler, on a detecting beat, may enter into theshuttle and detect the condition of filling therein.

The actuator 7 is connected to the feeler for movement thereby, when thelatter is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle. In thepresent instance, the feeler carrier 16 is provided with a lug 31 towhich is jointed the rod 32, the other end of which is connected at 33with the actuator 7, so that upon movement of the feeler laterally or ina direction longitudinally of the shuttle, the actuator 7 will becorrespondingly moved.

Mounted in a suitable bearing 3% projecting from the bracket 35 whichmay be secured to the shipper stand of the loom, is a thrust rod 36capable of movement longitudinally in the bearing 3 1. Pivotallyconnected with the thrust rod at 37 is a link 38, the opposite end ofwhich is connected at 39 to the operating member 8 which, as hereinbefore stated, comprises the weft hammer or cam follower.

Swiveled upon the feeler carrier 16 is the bearing 10 through whichextends the thrust rod 36 freely movable longitudinally therein. Theswiveled hearing or block 10 is pivotally mounted at ll on the feelercarrier 16 to rock in a horizontal plane. A. collar 12 is secured to thethrust rod 36 and between it and a loose collar 43 is interposed thespring 4a which, when the weft hammer or cam follower is in its rearwardor dotted line position as indicated in Fig. 2, is not under substantialcompression tending to any material degree to move the feeler laterally.In other words, when the weft hammer or cam follower is in its rearwardposition, the spring 44 is relaxed and the sliding collar 4 3 asindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, may be withdrawn from contact withthe swiveled bearing 40. Consequently the spring 14 exerts nosubstantial stress against the swivel bearing 40 tending to more thefeeler longitudinally of the shuttle. When. however, the weft hammer orcam follower moves frontwardly from its dotted to its full line position(Fig. 2), the thrust rod is moved longitudinally to the left (Fig. 2).thereby causing the loose collar e3 to engage the swiveled bearinglO,and upon further frontward movement of the weft hammer or cam follower,the spring a is energized. This energization of thespring 4- by the wefthammer or cam follower takes place as the weft hammer or cam followermoves frontwardly from its rearward position, at which time the engagingend of the feeler is in contact with the surface within the shuttle on adetecting beat. If at this time. that is when the weft hammer or cam follower has moved frontwardly from its rear ward posit-ion, and therebyplaced the spring ett under compression tending tomove the feelerlongitudinally of the shuttle, there should be a working supply offilling or weft in the shuttle, the toothed end portion of the feelerwill prevent longitudinal movement of the feeler responsive to the nowenergized spring, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 2. Should, however,the filling become substantially exhausted, the small amount of fillingremaining on the filling carrier in the shuttle, will no longer be ableto restrain movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle underthe now energized spring M, and the feeler will take the position asindicated in Fig. 3, thereby moving the actuator 7 into operativerelation with the weft hammer or cam follower, and on further frontwardmovement thereof, filling replenishment will be initiated. The thrustrod 36 is provided with a stop 45 which may be in the form of a cotterpin, and which as the weft hamn er or cam follower retreats after afilling replenishing operation, will restore the feeler to its feelingposition and will move the actuator T away from its operative relationwith the weft hammer or cam follower.

From the construction described it will be noted that the feeler isgiven its movement longitudinally of the shuttle by yielding means whichis energized to effect movement of the feeler longitudinally of theshuttle on a detecting beat only after the engaging end of the feelerhas had time to sink into any filling contained in the shuttle. Thistensioned condition of the yielding means or spring 44 may be mostconveniently effected through the thrust rod or member 36 connected tothe weft hammer or cam follower. Changes may be made in the details ofconstruction which embody the essentials of the present inventionwithout materially departing therefrom.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combinationof a feeler carrier pivotally mounted for movement in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier,an operating member and an actuator, connections between the feelercarrier and actuator for moving it into operative relation with theoperating member when the feeler carrier is moved longitudinally of theshuttle, a thrust rod connected to the operating member, and a springmounted on the thrust rod and energized by frontward movement of theoperating member for moving the feeler carrier in a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantiallyexhausted.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that ismounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and isheld from such movement on a detecting beat by engagement witii thefilling until the filling is substantiall hausted, an operating member,an actua connected with the feeler, a thrust rod connected to theoperating member, and a spring energized by frontward movement of theoperating member and tending to more the feeler longitudinally of theshuttle when the filling is substantially exhaust-ed on detecting beat.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, combination of a feeler tiat ismounted movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, and isheld from such movement on detecting beat by engagement with the fillingwnen a working supply is presem in the shuttle, a cam follower, anactuator, a spring energized by frontward movement of the cam follower,and connections between the feeler and actuator for operativelyrelat-ing the actuator and cam follower when the filling issubstantially exhausted and the spring is energized by the cam fo 4. Ina feeier mechanism for looms, the combination of feeler that is mountedfor movement in a direction longitudinal the shuttle and is held fromsuch movem by engagement with the filling when a wo ing supply ispresent in the shuttle on a letecting beat, a spring tending to impastsuch lower.

movement to the feeler member on a detecting beat, and means acting toplace said spring under compression only after the feeler has beenengaged by a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that ismounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and isheld from such movement by engagement with the filling in the shuttlewhen a working supply is present on a detecting beat, a normally inertspring for imparting such movement to the feeler, a cam follower, andmeans actuated by the cam follower for placing said spring undercompression after the feeler has been engaged by a surface within theshuttle on a detecting beat and thereafter acting through the compressedspring to move the feeler member longitudinally of the shuttle when thefilling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that ismounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and isheld from such move ment by engagement with the filling in the shuttlewhen a working supply is present on a detecting beat, a spring which isperiodically energized for imparting such movement to the feeler, meansfor energizing the spring on each detecting beat, and means actuated bymovement of the feeler responsive to the spring for effectingreplenishment of filling.

IUU

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler to enterthe shuttle and feel for the filling and that is mounted for movement ina direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movementby engagement with the filling in the shuttle on a detecting beatwhen aworking V ment by engagement with a working supply of filling in theshuttle on a detecting beat, an operating member, and a spring energizedby movement of the operating member to effect movement of the feeler ina direction longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat when thefilling is substantially exhausted.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler whichenters the shuttle and feels for the filling and that is mounted formovement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held fromsuch movement by engagement with a working supply of filling in theshuttle on a detecting beat, a cam follower, a normally inert springbetween the feeler and cam follower and means actuated by the camfollower to energize the spring to move the feeler longitudinally of theshuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

[1.0. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler thatis mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle andis held from such movement on a detecting beat by engagement with aworking supply of filling in the shuttle, an operating member, anactuator, separate means for connecting the feeler and actuator and thefeeler and operating member, and a spring energized by the operatingmember to eflect movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle ona detecting beat when the filling is substantially exhausted.

11. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a feeler that ismounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from suchmovement by engagement with the filling on a detecting beat untilsubstantial exhaustion thereof, an operating member, an actuator, aspring for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when thefilling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and means thatis operated by the operating member for energizing the spring to effectsuch movement of the feeler.

In testimony whereof, I have. signed my name to this specification.

FRED LAOEY.

